Cockerill added: "It is clearly not ideal at this point in time with the World Cup on the horizon to lose someone of his playing ability and his leadership ability.

"It is a blow for Craner, who loves playing and just wants to play. It is tough for him as a 25-year-old to be having a year out of the game."

Last season's beaten Premiership finalists begin their new domestic campaign on 3 September with a home fixture against Exeter and Cockerill insists they have enough cover to deal with Crane's absence.

"We have the likes of Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom, Ben Woods and Steve Mafi as back-row options and we will crack on," said Cockerill.